Monday, November 2, 2009

"Mark Twain’s views on writing still apply for Web writing and blogging"

http://editorialengine.com/?p=808

An author values a compliment even when it comes from a source of doubtful competency.
Mark Twain in Eruption

Mark Twain is stating that a writer must always credit a compliment even if it comes from a bad source. People are always commenting on each other's blogs and web writing. A good writer accepts all their comments and learns from them. An author can always acquire information from their audience.

I notice that you use plain, simple language, short words and brief sentences. That is the way to write English–it is the modern way and the best way. Stick to it; don’t let fluff and flowers and verbosity creep in. When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don’t mean utterly, but kill most of them–then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are wide apart. An adjective habit, or a wordy, diffuse, flowery habit, once fastened upon a person, is as hard to get rid of as any other vice.
Letter to D. W. Bowser, 20 March 1880

In this piece of advice Mark Twain declares that the best way to write is by writing short, brief sentences. The writing should be plain and simple. There is no need to fluff up one's writing. It becomes too long and goes off point. Adjectives should be used sparingly. They are powerful when they are placed farther apart. Writing in a "flowery habit" is a vice and is hard to get rid of. When web writing and blogging an author should always focus on the main points not adding any unnecessary information. This will keep the writer writing in a modern way sticking to simple and plain language.

You need not expect to get your book right the first time. Go to work and revamp or rewrite it. God only exhibits his thunder and lightning at intervals, and so they always command attention. These are God’s adjectives. You thunder and lightning too much; the reader ceases to get under the bed, by and by.
Letter to Orion Clemens, 23 March 1878

Mark Twain is referring to what every writer goes through. A true writer will continuously look back at their work and revise it. No one is perfect. A paper can always be corrected and made better. Some spicing up never hurt anyone. Twain gives an excellent metaphor in his piece of advice highlighting thunder and lightening. Thunder and lightening are an impressive occurrence. Since it is not everyday one hears and sees thunder and lightening when they happen to take place they grab a persons attention. If one uses too many adjectives the reader will become bored. The writer would have failed. These rules apply greatly to web writing and blogging. No one is going to read your blog if it puts them to sleep.

We write frankly and fearlessly but then we “modify” before we print.
Life on the Mississippi

The best why for a writer to start out one's writing is by writing from the heart and soul. Nothing need be held back. A writer must take risks and put them self out there in scrutiny. One's best thoughts are those that are not dragged out, rather written in the heat of the moment. A writer may always go back and alter his/her work. However, if left resting one's thoughts may not be able to show the meaning the author had intended. Blogging online is all about writing what is true to the writer in the given moment. By putting your writing on the computer one is risking criticism from all sources.

It is no use to keep private information which you can't show off.
An Author's Soldiering, 1887

Web writing and blogging are all about sharing one's innermost thoughts. Nothing should be held back. A writer is vulnerable to calumny and consternation. To Mark Twain it is important for a writer to be personal and intimate with their reader. In this way the author can build a connection with his/her audience. Mark Twain is a master at this skill having written several classics.

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